Local lawmaker pushes ‘good government’ bills

Jeremy AlfordCapitol Correspondent

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 1:06 a.m.

BATON ROUGE — A Lafourche Parish lawmaker has introduced a set of bills that would prohibit certain post-service options for retiring legislators and open up more public records in the Governor’s Office.

Rep. Dee Richard, an independent from Thibodaux, said the bills are not targeting Gov. Bobby Jindal.

“These problems existed long before he was elected,” Richard said.

Sean Lansing, Jindal’s press secretary, said the administration is considering the merits of proposals being filed for the regular session that convenes April 8.

“We will continue to review bills as they are introduced,” Lansing said.

Richard’s House Bill 14 would prohibit former lawmakers from being appointed to or employed in any unclassified state position for a period of two years following their final day in office.

Jindal, during his first term and more than a year into his second, has appointed former lawmakers to jobs with the Insurance Department, Revenue Department, Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Office of Motor Vehicles, Tax Commission and Pardon Board, among others.

Richard said he is concerned sitting lawmakers could be influenced with promises of jobs after their elected service has come to an end.

“It’s time we change what’s going on in government,” Richard said. “It’s the good old boy network. That’s what worries me.”

Current law already includes such a ban for other elected officials and for certain positions in state government, and Richard argues it should be applied to the legislative branch as well.

Former legislators are already prohibited from entering into contracts with the state for one year following the termination of their elected office.

“This is pointed at me, too. I would have to follow this,” he added. “If you’re such a good fit for a job, then wait two years and come back and get it.” Richard has also introduced House Bill 19, which would eliminate a commonly used exemption that shields records in the Governor’s Office from public view.

If the records are part of the office’s “deliberative process,” meaning they were used to make decisions, Jindal and his staff are allowed to keep them secret.

“This is about transparency,” Richard said. “We’re among the few states that allow this. The present law is blocking public records.”

The legislation, however, would protect interoffice communications between the governor and his internal staff for up to 10 years.

“Records would also have to be maintained and archived,” Richard said. “Nothing can be shredded.”

Lawmakers have been proposing similar bills for more than a decade, always with opposition from sitting administrations.

Four years ago, Jindal’s administration played a key role in rewriting public records law, leading to the creation of the “deliberative process” exemption.

Sen. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, has signed on as the co-sponsor of House Bill 19 and will be handling the legislation in the upper chamber.

<p>BATON ROUGE — A Lafourche Parish lawmaker has introduced a set of bills that would prohibit certain post-service options for retiring legislators and open up more public records in the Governor's Office. </p><p>Rep. Dee Richard, an independent from Thibodaux, said the bills are not targeting Gov. Bobby Jindal.</p><p>“These problems existed long before he was elected,” Richard said. </p><p>Sean Lansing, Jindal's press secretary, said the administration is considering the merits of proposals being filed for the regular session that convenes April 8. </p><p>“We will continue to review bills as they are introduced,” Lansing said. </p><p>Richard's House Bill 14 would prohibit former lawmakers from being appointed to or employed in any unclassified state position for a period of two years following their final day in office. </p><p>Jindal, during his first term and more than a year into his second, has appointed former lawmakers to jobs with the Insurance Department, Revenue Department, Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Office of Motor Vehicles, Tax Commission and Pardon Board, among others. </p><p>Richard said he is concerned sitting lawmakers could be influenced with promises of jobs after their elected service has come to an end.</p><p>“It's time we change what's going on in government,” Richard said. “It's the good old boy network. That's what worries me.” </p><p>Current law already includes such a ban for other elected officials and for certain positions in state government, and Richard argues it should be applied to the legislative branch as well.</p><p>Former legislators are already prohibited from entering into contracts with the state for one year following the termination of their elected office. </p><p>“This is pointed at me, too. I would have to follow this,” he added. “If you're such a good fit for a job, then wait two years and come back and get it.” Richard has also introduced House Bill 19, which would eliminate a commonly used exemption that shields records in the Governor's Office from public view.</p><p>If the records are part of the office's “deliberative process,” meaning they were used to make decisions, Jindal and his staff are allowed to keep them secret. </p><p>“This is about transparency,” Richard said. “We're among the few states that allow this. The present law is blocking public records.” </p><p>The legislation, however, would protect interoffice communications between the governor and his internal staff for up to 10 years. </p><p>“Records would also have to be maintained and archived,” Richard said. “Nothing can be shredded.” </p><p>Lawmakers have been proposing similar bills for more than a decade, always with opposition from sitting administrations. </p><p>Four years ago, Jindal's administration played a key role in rewriting public records law, leading to the creation of the “deliberative process” exemption.</p><p>Sen. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, has signed on as the co-sponsor of House Bill 19 and will be handling the legislation in the upper chamber. </p><p>Jeremy Alford can be reached at jeremy@jeremyalford.com.</p>